NEW YORK – A fan who hit Boston Red Sox southpaw Alex Verdogo with a baseball thrown from the stands at Yankee Stadium has been banned from Major League games for life.
The decision was confirmed on Sunday by spokesmen for the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora briefly withdrew his team from the pitch in the sixth half on Saturday night after Verdugo hit the back with a ball thrown from the left bench. He didn’t look hurt.
An angry Ferdogo yelled at the fans and was handcuffed by first baseman Tom Goodwin as the match was stopped due to pouring rain. The fan was taken out of the stadium.
“While the Yankees appreciate the spirit and passion of our fans in our various competitions, particularly with the Red Sox, we will not tolerate reckless, disruptive and dangerous behavior that jeopardizes the safety of players, staff on the field or fellow fans, ”Yankees said in a statement Sunday.
“There is absolutely no room for him at Yankee Stadium. The safety of everyone at Yankee Stadium, including guests in the stands and players on the pitch, will always be the top priority for the Yankees whenever we open our doors. “
Verdugo said he threw the ball into the stands at a young Red Sox fan, but that a Yankees fan intercepted it and returned it to the field, hitting the defender.
“It’s awful, embarrassing and unacceptable,” New York manager Aaron Boone later said.
Verdugo returned to the left outside when play resumed after an argument with the referees near the Boston bunker.
“I felt like she was being targeted by me and I didn’t feel good about me,” she said.
New York won 3-1 in a match that was called up after six games due to torrential rain.
NJ.com reported Sunday that the fan was not arrested.
